Amenity burns 13m gallons of fuel-FTA
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SUGGESTIONS that local authorities are doing very little to use their statutory powers to control lorries on environmental grounds are quite unfounded, says the Freight Transport Association. Evidence issued this week from the association's regular analysis of amenity bans imposed by local authorities shows that their introduction continues in substantial numbers.
Local authorities were required, under the Heavy Commercial Vehicles (Controls and Regulations) Act 1973 — known as the "Dykes Act." — to survey their areas and prepare written proposals to control lorries on amenity grounds.
The FTA has calculated that over 452 bans have been introduced in England and Wales. It computes amenity bans in England and Wales will cost an estimated £75 millions per year by the end of 1980. Nearly 13 million gallons of fuel will be used for the extra mileage caused by the diversionary bans.
FTA says it is concerned by the increasing tendency for local authorities to introduce many amenity bans on an arbitrary basis with the obviously desirable measures of calculating the cost and effects of the bans to industry''.
In addition they say it is important to appreciate that the lorry bans involved were made purely on environmental grounds. There was no justification on the basis of road safety hazard or road damaging effect.
The FTA contends that, in general, a more proper and developed understanding of the consequent costs to industry should be achieved before bans were ordered, The Association has
published details of the 52 bans introduced since 1 January 1980 and the local authorities concerned. ,